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Saturday, September 6, 2014

TEIXEIRA: THE PROSECUTION RESTS IT'S CASE

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury…the Prosecution rests. We feel we have stated our case in THE FANS vs. Mark Teixeira as clearly as possible. Again, bear in mind that this is in no way a personal attack on the defendant. He is, from all witness accounts, a good guy and a seemingly gentle soul. No, we are merely showing you that Mr. Teixeira is NOT in any way, shape or form a middle of the order hitter or offensive threat any longer. He is by and large a drag on an already dragging offense, and it will only get worse as he continues to play for the New York Yankees.

Now you are probably saying, “MIKEY! He was 2 for 4 the other night against Boston and saved our bacon with a dinger off Koji in the 9th!! Are you outta your mind?!”

The answer is simply, no. I watched the game. I saw the home run. I KNOW that Tex did his job. Re read that sentence. Tex did his job. The undeniable FACT is that more often than not this season (and really for a couple seasons) Teixeira hasn’t “shown up for work” as it were. He remains a great defender, but sputters at the plate more and more, and that game-tying shot doesn’t change that, folks…I REALLY wish it did.

I want to be sure we all understand that I don’t dislike Tex. I was happy to see him sign here during the 2008 off-season. He was a big time pick up…but the amount of years and money seemed crazy. Now I can’t blame Mark for taking the money and the chance to play for the club he rooted for as a kid. I would have, you would have…heck, Mother Teresa of Calcutta would have. And I understand that if the Yanks hadn’t made the move Boston would have. The deal was the product of the Big Apple/Beantown Arms Race. Tex helped the club win the 2009 World Championship. There is no denying that, but this is 2014.

When I was a kid I remember getting in trouble with my folks. I smarted off to a teacher or received a poor mark at school…that stuff happened a lot so I am sure it was one or the other. Anyway, when my punishment was handed out I objected to it’s severity and politely said to my father, “But I cleaned up my room, mowed the lawn and baby sat this week.” My dad took a moment and then stated clearly and without elaboration, “That’s your job. End of story.” He was right. I didn’t want to agree with him, but he was right. That was my job. I played for his “club” and those were the tasks given to me.

It may seem like apples to oranges, but it really isn’t. Hitting the ball out over the fences IS Mark Teixeira’s job. The pitch that Uehara served up was a mistake pitch. That is the kind of ball Tex SHOULD ALWAYS crush. I mean Big Papi took 2 of Capuano’s MISTAKES and sent them out to the 4 train! Am I wrong? Why are we making more of it than it should be? Look, I hope and pray that Mark goes on a tear and helps the Bombers charge into the playoffs! That’s what I want for him! I don’t root for my guys to fail. I’m a Yankee fan! I jumped out of my chair when Tex swung the bat and made contact…but I wasn’t changing my mind on what he is overall. That hasn’t changed.

One of the best lines from the movie “Saving Private Ryan” comes toward the very end of the film. Tom Hank’s character, near death, quietly utters his last words to Matt Damon’s James Francis Ryan, “James, earn this. Earn it.” Tex is paid a great deal of money. He plays for the most storied franchise in Sports and he has a chance every year to play for a Championship. It is NOT AT ALL acceptable to say, “Well, I’m in decline so…”. No, Mark, earn this. Right now hovering around .223 and too often hurt he simply isn’t. Sure, a lot of these Yankees aren’t earning their large contracts…but I’m not writing about them…yet.

We are stuck together. Tex is untradeable and I don’t see him walking away with money on the table…so something has to change right? We don’t play the game he does, and I am not saying what he does is easy. That is absurd. Hitting a round ball with a round bat squarely is extremely difficult…but still, it’s his job. Bottom line, he needs to be better…much better.

Nice hit against the Sox, Tex. I want to cheer for ya, make me a believer again.

** Here you go, Mark. It’s Your hero “In decline” in 1995. Donnie made us all HOLD ON TO THE ROOF! **